Rhetoric Level Courses (9th - 12th Grades)

Chapel
All students begin each Monday with Chapel. A rhetoric level student Chaplain and a student worship band lead chapel. The Chapel includes worship songs, a devotional, and prayer.

Biblical Theology
A classical approach to learning about God includes a study of biblical chronology (Grammar level), theology (Logic level) and apology (Rhetoric level). Building on their knowledge of biblical chronology, in this course, students will learn to understand, explain and scripturally support the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Where applicable, students will be introduced to divergent views that exist in orthodox Christianity and will be encouraged to discuss these with charity and grace, at all times relying on the Holy Scriptures as the ultimate source of authority. Students will learn the importance of “catholicity” among the people of God, being able to appreciate the unity of the church in the past, present, and future.

Economics
R3 and R4 students will take a course in economics.The word “economics” is derived from an Ancient Greek word meaning “management or rules of a household.”A study of economics is the key to understanding the everyday functioning of many parts of our “household” or the society in which we live. This class will teach students basic economic concepts, as well as help them understand the close link between their study of the economy, history, current events, and theology.

Latin
The study of the classical language, Latin, is the core of a classical education; as a result, we require students to complete Latin levels 1A, 1B and 1C or their equivalents before they are able to take a different foreign language in the Logic and Rhetoric levels.

Spanish
Spanish will be taught using Vistas!. Students build vocabulary as they build competency in the grammar of Spanish. Our goal is to help students benefit from the synergy between Latin and Spanish as they learn. This class is taught by skill level and can be taken only after your student has successfully completed the Latin I course.

Math
Math is taught by skill level – Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-calculus, Calculus I, and Calculus II. Elementary Algebra and Geometry by Harold Jacobs; Algebra II and Trigonometry by Paul Foerster; and Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions by Larson, Howard and Edwards are used.

Science
R1 students are scheduled to take Biology, R2 students are scheduled to take Chemistry, R3 students are scheduled to take Physics, and R4 students are scheduled to take Advanced Physics. However, all Rhetoric level science courses are taught during the same period to allow students the flexibility to take the science classes that best suits their needs. All science courses follow Apologia Science curricula.

Omnibus
The Omnibus course covers history, literature, and theology. It leads students through the Great Works with sharp focus on the ideas rather than just the facts. This course is also designed to apply and further develop the students’ skills in composition, logic, and aesthetics. Veritas Press’s Omnibus course curriculum is used. 7th through 12th graders are all taught the same period of history. Although writing assignments are required of all students in all classes, specific writing instruction is given in this class primarily in the form of Progymnasmata exercises which prepare the students for Classical Rhetoric. The instructor uses a combination of sources to help students develop into confident and accomplished writers. The instructor draws from the following sources to aid in guiding student writers: Institute for Excellence in Writing, Shurley Grammar, and The Lively Art of Writing.

Argument Building
R1 students will build on their understanding of formal logic and critical thinking and learn to build their own sound, persuasive arguments. This class acts as a bridge between their classes focused on the logical structure of an argument and their courses in classical rhetoric which focus on the communication of sound arguments.

Classical Rhetoric I
R2 students begin training in the art of written and oral expression. Classical Rhetoric I focuses on oral expression and the art of delivering a well-crafted speech. At the end of the class, students are well versed in the Branches of Oratory and the tools of oral rhetoric.

Classical Rhetoric II
R3 students will be introduced to the field of apologetics. The goal of this class is to give students tools for defending the Christian Faith against common objections raised by non-believers. Students will learn to analyze and refute arguments raised against Christianity by integrating knowledge learned from Logic and Classical Rhetoric I. Students will learn the distinctions between Classical and Presuppositional Apologetics. Students will be writing extensively in this class and will have many opportunities for argumentation. During the second semester, students will create a thesis of 20 pages on a theological topic of their choice and defend the thesis orally before a panel.

Applied Rhetoric
This course is the capstone of a classically trained student. Our R4 students are required to integrate the facts acquired at the grammar stage, the tools of reasoned argumentation and logic learned at the dialectic stage, and the art of eloquent expression learned in previous rhetoric courses to compose and present persuasive arguments. These arguments follow the classical divisions of the progymnasmata exercises. During this course students create a major thesis of 35-40 pages and defend the thesis orally before a panel of faculty members and experts.

Colloquia Cordibus Sapientiae (Discussions for Hearts of Wisdom)
Four times a year, Logic and Rhetoric students will meet in small groups to discuss and debate hot topics related to what they are learning at C.C. These groups will be facilitated by either a male C.C. teacher or a father of a C.C. student. The purpose of C.C.S. groups is to allow students to discuss topics in depth, to defend their points of view, to be challenged by each other and wise and godly adults, to expand their minds by seeking truth and wisdom and to fellowship.